Message: "August" - Behind the Name

[Opinions] August

by hemeradroma

1/26/2009, 6:33 AM

When I met my future father-in-law, August, I told him I was going to name my first son after him. I immediately recognized the name as one steeped in history and meaning, a derivative of Augustus (actually, it's the German form of that name), as in Julius Ceaser Augustus, and knew that this handsome name means "revered one". It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who ask "Why did you name him THAT?". They think it's just a cutesy, trendy idea of mine. I'm tempted to ask, "Why did you name your child Tyler, Dylan, or Josh, like every other baby boy in the hospital nursery?" And why nickname him? August is two syllables--easy to pronounce. Many people just have trouble with what is unfamiliar. He likes his name and even wrote a high school essay about it.

#August

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- Marija Luminitsa

1/26/2009, 1:41 PM

I love the name August, which is a bit funny because the only person I ever met with the name was a little trouble maker. :-D He was nicknamed Auggie, but I don't think August needs a nickname.

- Justina

1/26/2009, 1:25 PM

August is a handsome name.

- delphine

1/26/2009, 11:40 AM

I like it. It's a handsome name. I like Augusta on a girl as well. I once knew a girl called Augusta Theresa. She had no nn, she just went by Augusta. I thought it suited her.

Lea

- mafiosa

1/26/2009, 10:38 AM

I love Augustus, but I'm not a fan of August. It just feels like there's something missing to me. I also just love names that end in -us. August is somewhat of a word in German, too, and I don't mean the month, but I don't know how to translate it.

- mirfak

1/26/2009, 9:07 AM

"When I met my future father-in-law, August, I told him I was going to name my first son after him."

Really. I'm sure that made an impression... ;-)

I think it's a nice name, and coming into fashion.

- Eloisa (guest)

1/26/2009, 8:53 AM

August is a strong, handsome name - some people are just too uneducated to realize the depth of history and usage it has. The month was named for the person, not the reverse.

Augustus is one of my favorites.

- Joan-Ay +1

1/26/2009, 8:04 AM

Oh, I love August too! I also like Augusta for a girl

- Chanel

1/26/2009, 10:30 AM

I have Mary Augusta as a combo, though I slightly prefer August.

- Chanel

1/26/2009, 8:01 AM

I love August. I always go back and forth between August and Augustin. I adore the nickname Gus.

- Jaimeson Jade (jaimej)

1/26/2009, 7:40 AM

I love August, and Augusta for a girl is a GP of mine. My friend named her daughter Kensey August b/c both my friend and her daughter were born in August.

- Sabrina Fair (tigerlilly)

1/26/2009, 7:19 AM

I love August for a girl, and Augustine for a boy.

- CN (CSwe)

1/26/2009, 6:51 AM

August is my favorite name for a boy. I abolutely adore it! It was also the middle name of my mother's maternal grandfather and it is a very classy name where I'm from. I read on a Swedish name site that it was the most popular name in the end of the 1800s and approximately one fourth (!) of the Swedish male population was named August (first or middle name).
I dislike the fact that many (English-speaking) people think it is just a month name and I have a hard time seeing it as a unisex name. There is nothing trendy about August in my opinion and I think you made a great choice when you named your son August. I also see it as quite an international name. In short, I love it. ;)

This message was edited 1/26/2009, 6:54 AM

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